Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 176: Inexplicable

Wen Qing didn’t want to give up the chance to wear makeup onstage.

Later, Qiao Ying spent quite a while trying to persuade her without success, eventually coming to find Yang Peimin.

As they were talking, suddenly a quick succession of footsteps approached from outside, and soon someone was forcefully knocking on Yang Peimin’s dormitory door, "Yang Peimin, open the door!"

The voice alone suggested that the visitor had bad intentions.

Qiao Ying swiftly stood up and was the first to go and open the door.

Perhaps she was also a bit annoyed as she briskly flung the door open, catching Du Juanjuan mid-knock, still poised with her hand up. Seeing Qiao Ying, Du Juanjuan’s expression softened a bit, and she peeked past her saying, "Qiao Tuan, I need to speak with Mr. Yang."

Yang Peimin followed Qiao Ying and stepped over, looking at the stranger Du Juanjuan with some confusion, "What’s this about?"

Du Juanjuan’s face flashed with anger when she saw her, but because Qiao Ying was present, she restrained herself from being too explicit. She tilted her chin up at Yang Peimin, "I need to speak with you."

"Speak here if you have something to say," Yang Peimin said with a glance, not taking her seriously. She had no intention of indulging Du Juanjuan’s commanding attitude.

Du Juanjuan was infuriated by her demeanor.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Qiao Ying, guessing what this might be about, invited Du Juanjuan into the dormitory. People in the hallway had already begun to peek in their direction, "If you have something to say, come in and talk."

Yang Peimin also stepped back in accord and Qiao Ying closed the door, "Mr. Du, please speak your mind. I suppose you’re here about your cousin’s issue?"

Du Juanjuan nodded at her, "That’s right, I’m here because of my cousin’s issue."

Then she looked fiercely at Yang Pei’s gaze, "I’m telling you, my cousin doesn’t fancy your makeup set. Spare us the effort — I say you are quite ruthless, trying to slander my cousin like this!"

Before Qiao Ying could hear her out, she cut in urgently, "Mr. Du, from your words, you seem to think these rumors were spread by Peimin. Why would you think that? This doesn’t do her any good either."

Yang Peimin was a little taken aback and chuckled at Du Juanjuan, "That would really be asking for trouble for myself."

Du Juanjuan looked her up and down disdainfully, letting out a small sneer, "But isn’t it because you found out my cousin used to date Shen Yiguang, and you got jealous? How can you, a village woman, compare to my cousin, who comes from a good background, has a high education, and is an independent woman with a career? One is a dull, muddy-faced country bun, and the other is a fine, white-steamed bun—anyone who isn’t blind would know which to choose. Do you think by wearing a pretty dress you can pretend to be an urbanite? It’s laughable. Even if you dressed yourself up like a peacock, deep down, you’re still a villager!"

"Seeing the arrival of my cousin, weren’t you just afraid for your own status? That’s why you stirred up all this trouble, coaxing my cousin to let you do her makeup, thereby letting others know my cousin had shamelessly approached you, and focusing all the whispers and gossip on her, thus achieving your aim, isn’t that right?"

Yang Peimin couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

However, Qiao Ying looked seriously at the outraged Du Juanjuan, "Mr. Du, what you’re saying is totally baseless. Peimin didn’t even know your cousin before any of this, and such rumors obviously can harm both her and her husband’s reputation..."

Yang PeiMin grabbed Qiao Ying, "Qiao Ying, don’t say anymore. Everyone with eyes can see what’s happening, yet the blame has somehow landed on me. Some people’s minds are as mushy as porridge; no matter how much you tell them, they just don’t get it."

"And Mr. Du’s analogy of cornbread versus fine wheat buns is truly laughable. Wen Qing has her strengths, but I believe I’m not inferior to anyone by even half. Du Juanjuan, if you really want to seek justice for your cousin, you should figure out what she’s actually thinking before making such claims. What’s the point of coming here to show off? I’ve only brought trouble upon myself. As you wish, I’ll save my breath now. Mr. Du, please see yourself out."

Having said that, she went and opened the door for her.

Du Juanjuan, grinding her teeth, her face alternating between pale and flushed from the mockery and choking.

Afraid that she would do something rash, Qiao Ying hurried over and tugged at her, "Mr. Du, you should discuss this with your cousin first. However, you’re right about one thing; to avoid any suspicion, Pei Min won’t be coming over tomorrow. Please advise your cousin as well."

With a mix of cajoling and assisting, they led Du Juanjuan out the dormitory door.

After she had left, Qiao Ying came back, sighed in frustration as she looked at Yang PeiMin.

Yang PeiMin comforted her, "Let’s leave it at that. Honestly, even before her cousin stirred up trouble, I was considering not letting Wen Qing down. But now, I do feel somewhat uneasy about it. Please let Wen Qing know on my behalf. I’ll write a note for you to take to her. Also, about those rumors, I suspect they might have originated from your group. Could you please check it out when you get back?"

Qiao Ying nodded, "That seems to be the only option now. Pei Min, about this matter... well, don’t be upset with Mr. Du. She probably didn’t know any better and was instigated by someone to create this scene. I will find out who is behind this and clear things up for you both."

Having said what needed to be said, she too seemed eager to get back and deal with the situation. Yang PeiMin didn’t hold her back, since Shen Yiguang was waiting outside. She wasn’t even sure if his excuse to visit the Political Commissar was genuine or just a way to give them space to talk. freēnovelkiss.com

However, no sooner had Qiao Ying left than Shen Yiguang returned.

Yang PeiMin had a lot to say to him as well, but Shen Yiguang said, "The water’s boiling; go take a shower first, and then we can have a good talk."

Yang PeiMin glanced at his expression, wondering if he too had heard something. She obediently nodded and began gathering her undergarments as he poured water for her.

Shen Yiguang fetched two more buckets of water.

After the bath, she felt her entire body relax.

Shen Yiguang quickly took a cold shower too and then dried her hair, chatting while they sat on the bed.

Yang PeiMin told him about what had just happened.

"I didn’t expect this kind of thing to come up. Shen Yiguang, do you think I’ve been meddling too much?" She turned to look at Shen Yiguang, hands draped around his neck, "Did you hear any of the rumors going around outside just now?"

Shen Yiguang wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her back, and said calmly, "Since you refused the makeup job, leave the rest to your man. We’re not to worry about these things anymore, understand? Get some rest early. Have you completed the task entrusted by the elders yet?"

Yang PeiMin, her mind not catching up quickly enough, looked at him blankly, "What task?"

"To have a big chubby boy for me, of course. I’m not sure if you’re pregnant yet, but to be on the safe side, I should probably make an extra effort."